{"id":11442,"date":"2021-02-16T18:00:48","date_gmt":"2021-02-17T00:00:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/visitfranklin.com\/a-first-timers-guide-to-franklin\/"},"modified":"2024-08-22T06:41:11","modified_gmt":"2024-08-22T12:41:11","slug":"a-first-timers-guide-to-franklin","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/visitfranklin.com\/blog\/a-first-timers-guide-to-franklin\/","title":{"rendered":"A First Timer’s Guide to Franklin"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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There are two types of travelers: the planners and the wanderers. Fortunately, whether you\u2019re in town for a day or a week, Franklin is so packed with things to see and do that you can sketch out your visit with these tips, and still find plenty to discover along the way.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The heart of Franklin is the core of the city, a 16-block grid that includes a number of residential and arts districts and landmarks listed on the National Register of Historic Places, anchored by Main Street and the\u00a0Public Square<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Plenty of free parking is available on most streets and in two public garages (on Second and Fourth Avenues). Grab a spot and head to the\u00a0Visitors Center<\/a>\u00a0just off Main Street on Fourth Avenue North. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There, you\u2019ll find a friendly staff with local insights and suggestions, along with the kinds of maps, brochures, and details you\u2019re looking for. And, if you\u2019re one of those Type-A planners, we\u2019d love to send you\u00a0a free digital Visitor Guide<\/a>\u00a0ahead of time!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Start in the Public Square<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Be sure to check out our self-guided walking tour<\/a> as a starting point, which will introduce you to some of Franklin\u2019s most stunning and significant architecture and points of interest. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

From the Public Square, you can explore historic neighborhoods full of 19th<\/sup> and early 20th<\/sup> century gems in every direction. But first, spend some time working your way through the dozens of unique shops, boutiques, galleries, restaurants, and other local treasures to be found on Main Street and around corners within the commercial district.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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It would be tough to whittle down a shortlist of favorites, but you won\u2019t want to miss Avec Moi<\/a>, Bink\u2019s Outfitters<\/a>, The Registry<\/a>, White\u2019s Mercantile<\/a>, Tin Cottage<\/a>, Gallery 202<\/a>, or Landmark Booksellers<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Early risers will appreciate our breakfast and coffee spots \u2013 of course, Starbucks<\/a> is right there, but Frothy Monkey<\/a>, the Coffee House at Second & Bridge<\/a>, Meridee\u2019s Breadbasket<\/a>, Ruby Sunshine<\/a>, and Puckett\u2019s Grocery<\/a> all open early and offer fabulous morning bites and brews\u2014each with their own personality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Find a Bike Tour<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

One great way to venture out is on a\u00a0Pedego<\/a>\u00a0electric bike! From Fifth Avenue North, you can pedal or cruise under power to just about anywhere around old Franklin. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Head down to Bicentennial Park and ride along the Harpeth River back toward downtown, then out to\u00a0The Factory<\/a>\u00a0(down East Main Street), where you could easily spend a few hours exploring this 1930s-era building now serving as a creative space full of shops and studios, along with restaurants and events such as the Franklin Farmers Market each Saturday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Park at Harlinsdale Farm<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Just across the street is Franklin\u2019s Central Park,\u00a0The Park at Harlinsdale Farm<\/a>, a former Tennessee Walking Horse breeding farm that has been permanently preserved for its natural beauty and historic significance. Trails run throughout the 200-acre property, dotted with picturesque barns, silos, and simple homes awaiting restoration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Explore Franklin’s History<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If more history is what you\u2019re looking for, the other side of downtown Franklin might be your next destination. Up Columbia Avenue from Five Points, the ca. 1830 Carter House, built in the Federal style from brick, is alone worth seeing for its glimpse into early agrarian life in Franklin. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But this home and the area around it was also Ground Zero for the Battle of Franklin, the bloodiest four hours in the history of America. On November 30, 1864, more than 10,000 casualties fell here, and the Battle of Franklin Trust offers incredible guided tours of the Carter House as well as\u00a0Carnton<\/a>, which served as a field hospital for months after the battle. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Both house museums, along with the Confederate cemetery, tell the story of the tragedy here that helped end the Civil War. The gardens at Carnton<\/a> are equally spectacular, and just adjacent, the 110-acre Eastern Flank Battlefield Park is noteworthy both for its interpretive signage and its wildlife and natural beauty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Find a Spot to Eat<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

After a full day, head back downtown for dinner and a drink. Options range from the upscale steakhouse\u00a0Cork & Cow<\/a>\u00a0and the cocktail-forward\u00a0Grays on Main<\/a>\u00a0(look for the neon pharmacy sign), to the Memphis-to-New Orleans menu at\u00a055 South<\/a>\u00a0and several other fast-casual options:\u00a0Taziki\u2019s Mediterranean Caf\u00e9<\/a>,\u00a0McCreary\u2019s Irish Pub<\/a>\u00a0and many more. For live music, pop into the no-frills\u00a0Kimbro\u2019s Pickin\u2019 Parlor<\/a>\u00a0or the\u00a0Mockingbird Theater<\/a>, both within a short distance of Main Street. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The recently restored Art Deco-style\u00a0Franklin Theatre<\/a>\u00a0also traditionally offers big-name musical acts and classic movies, but check the schedule for its post-Covid reopening plans (hopefully very soon!).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Check out the Accomodation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re looking for a convenient place to stay, Franklin\u2019s first downtown hotel of the modern era, the Harpeth<\/a>, opened in 2019 as a four-star property under the Hilton Curio flag and is an excellent choice for lodging, dining, and entertainment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The hotel\u2019s landmark restaurant,\u00a01799 Kitchen & Cocktails<\/a>, is known for its outstanding food, bar, and live music, and other options such as the new Italian spot\u00a0Culaccino<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Franklin Bakehouse<\/a>\u00a0are located within the same complex between First and Second Avenues off Main Street.\u00a0Americana Taphouse<\/a>\u00a0is just across Bridge Street, as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Of course, you can stay in a restored Victorian home, a Main Street loft, in a cozy log cabin, or a cottage on a horse farm; a number of\u00a0short-term rental options<\/a>\u00a0are available to be found in Franklin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beyond the historic core, a range of standard hotel options<\/a> are also available within a short drive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Plan your itinerary down to the hour or wing it, whatever your style. We\u2019ll be waiting to welcome you!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

There are two types of travelers: the planners and the wanderers. Fortunately, whether you\u2019re in town for a day or a week, Franklin is so packed with things to see […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":78,"featured_media":11443,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_EventAllDay":false,"_EventTimezone":"","_EventStartDate":"","_EventEndDate":"","_EventStartDateUTC":"","_EventEndDateUTC":"","_EventShowMap":false,"_EventShowMapLink":false,"_EventURL":"","_EventCost":"","_EventCostDescription":"","_EventCurrencySymbol":"","_EventCurrencyCode":"","_EventCurrencyPosition":"","_EventDateTimeSeparator":"","_EventTimeRangeSeparator":"","_EventOrganizerID":[],"_EventVenueID":[],"_OrganizerEmail":"","_OrganizerPhone":"","_OrganizerWebsite":"","_VenueAddress":"","_VenueCity":"","_VenueCountry":"","_VenueProvince":"","_VenueState":"","_VenueZip":"","_VenuePhone":"","_VenueURL":"","_VenueStateProvince":"","_VenueLat":"","_VenueLng":"","_VenueShowMap":false,"_VenueShowMapLink":false,"_tribe_blocks_recurrence_rules":"","_tribe_blocks_recurrence_description":"","_tribe_blocks_recurrence_exclusions":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[239,235],"tags":[166],"class_list":["post-11442","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-things-to-do","category-itineraries","tag-franklin"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/visitfranklin.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11442","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/visitfranklin.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/visitfranklin.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/visitfranklin.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/78"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/visitfranklin.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11442"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/visitfranklin.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11442\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":22364,"href":"https:\/\/visitfranklin.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11442\/revisions\/22364"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/visitfranklin.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/11443"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/visitfranklin.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11442"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/visitfranklin.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11442"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/visitfranklin.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11442"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}